The combination of the Great Dane and Mastiff create an immense hybrid! DogAppy provides some pictures and facts about the awesome combination that is the Daniff.
To Name A Few …
The Great Dane-Mastiff mix breed is recognized as the Daniff by American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry, and as the Great Daniff by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and Designer Breed Registry. It is also known as the Mastadane.
Both Great Danes and Mastiffs have the nickname of Gentle Giant. Both of these breeds were initially developed as guard dogs. The Danes, hailing from Germany, not Denmark, were originally bred as guard dogs. Though this was the case, they weren’t bred to be mean, their large appearance alone was enough to deter a thief. Throughout years of breeding, their personalities became more and more amiable. The Mastiff, on the other hand, was originally bred as a guarding and fighting. Originating from Central Asia, they were bred to travel with nomads and protect them. Over decades, Mastiffs were bred to be more mellow, hence the Gentle Giant moniker. The Daniff, being a combination of both, can be a wonderful family pet if socialized correctly from a young age and trained specifically with positive reinforcement training.
Due to it’s immense size, you want to make sure you have plenty of room for this dog. They don’t do well in an apartment or small home. Also-make sure you are always accompanying these huge pups with your small children, as they can knock them down.
❑ Appearance
This dog is very, very big ; a full grown Daniff can grow well over 30 inches, with the height range between 30 to 34 inches. It is a pretty heavy dog too, weighing between 115 to 130 pounds, sometimes more. Being a mix breed, it is very difficult to know a puppy’s coat color and pattern. The coat colors come in a wide variety, ranging from white, black, and brown, to fawn, merle, brindle, and spotted. The texture of the coat is smooth, and the length is short. The ears are long and floppy, while the tail is long and slightly curved. The built of a Daniff is in between a Dane and a Mastiff. It is neither too bulky nor too slim; it is more muscular than a Dane. It has long legs and big paws. A giant of a dog.
Great Dane
Mastiff
Daniff Puppy
❑ Personality Traits
The Daniff can be a very affectionate breed. If you take him out and about and socialize him really well, he can be a confident, loving pet. They can be very playful and energetic. It can be a good family dog but requires a family that is active and will do things with him. This dog has is intelligent and has an even temperament and easy-going nature. It makes for a good watchdog, as it barks only when it finds a reason.
❑ Diet
Being big in size, the Daniff needs proportionately more food. As with any dog, you want to make sure you do your homework and find out the best food for him.Always be careful that you don’t overfeed. If they get overweight, it can really be taxing on their joints.
❑ Grooming
One advantage of having a Daniff as a pet is that this dog is a low shedder. You need to brush the coat only once or twice a week. A bath is to be given only when required, and not on a regular basis. This dog tends to drool lesser than a Dane or a Mastiff. So that’s also a plus!
❑ Training
Being intelligent, the Daniff is not that difficult to train. It reacts well to positive reinforcement, force free training. Most are extremely food motivated so can learn very quickly. Positive reinforcement is always the way to go. Keep a bag of treats nearby and treat your dog when he does what you want him to do!
❑ Exercise
One or two 30 minute walks a day are most likely sufficient for this breed. They are not high energy, but you do still want to get them out and exercise. Just like we get bored, so do dogs; and chewing objects seems like the best way for them to express it.
❑ Living Conditions
Now it’s quite obvious that you cannot keep such a large dog in an apartment. The Daniff does best in a big house with a yard. However, if you live in a big apartment and have a dog park or open space nearby, and you take your dog for a run every day, then it may work. But a large space is a must for this dog, as it needs to move its giant self around comfortably.
❑ Health
Being such a large mix, you really want to watch their weight. Obesity can create many health issues. They can be prone to hip dysplasia, heart problems and digestive issues, such as bloat. The lifespan of this breed is more than the Dane’s. A Daniff generally lives between 9 to 11 years of age, but some dogs may also live longer.
